Davostag

[Augustus]

 

Greger Forms UDR for Upcoming Elections

15 July 5628 | Tårnbæk, Davostag

 

Former journalist John Greger, known for his controversial article, forms his opposition party, the Union for Democratic Reform.

 

The former journalist and recently established political activist John Greger, known for his controversial and questioned article regarding government policies in Renartsborg and Svalvík, has after extensive media coverage and touring the countryside of Sønderhavn, announced together with his wife and other activists, the formation of the Union för demokratisk reform ("Union for Democratic Reform"), UDR, for the upcoming November Riksdag election. Initially, the group had decided on the name Rörelsen för demokratisk förändring ("Movement for Democratic Change"), RDF, but the national electoral commission rejected the name for the reason of "probable social intrusiveness", and it was settled on the former. Greger has declared that the UDR will not regulate itself ideologically and instead be open for all who support pro-democratic and liberal reform.

 

In a recent polling, done by the politically biased and anti-government Fronten newspaper, the UDR is increasing their numbers and support, especially in the northern parts of Sønderhavn, typically Skrigere populated regions. Fronten claims that at this pace, securing seats in the Riksdag is not going to be the main issue for the UDR, rather that supposed government intervention in the election will be the main deciding factor. They also encourage voters who are tired or feel hopeless regarding the situation to either vote for UDR or vote blank as a form of protest against the ruling National Electoral Union (NVU).

 

Riksbladet asked the NVU secretary-general Wictor Rolén for a comment on the establishment of the UDR as a possible contender in the Riksdag, with the response that it would take him all day and some more if he commented on every political group formed in Davostag hoping to contest in elections. We managed to instead get a hold of retired Riksdag veteran Fredrik Påhlman for a quick interview, who stated that the case of the UDR is nothing new and seems to only be a repeat of about 27 years ago when the Folkliga partiet för demokrati ("Popular Party for Democracy"), FPD, was formed in a grand spectacle of opposition against the NVU. In that specific case, the main leaders abruptly ventured into the private sector, joining the boards of profitable companies, while others were arrested on accounts of embezzlement and offshore money laundering connected to their political campaigning; the party was formally disbanded 6 years ago, with the remaining members numbering only about eleven. Påhlman detestfully argues that the UDR is hoping to build up a reputation they can take advantage of like the previous FPD, to gain access to similar private actors for the sake of profit.

 

In whatever the case may be, if the predictions of Fronten as well as the UDR themselves is to be believed, this might become one of the more interesting Davostag elections in recent time. Could the foundation where the National Electoral Union stands finally begin to crack? Or could the opposition activists be wrong in their repetitive claims that the NVU lacks popular support?

 

Article written by Lisa Håkansdotter